Politicians faced the public in Croydon last week when Trinity School played host to Question Time.

The school, in Shirley Park, is located in the marginal seat of Croydon Central, and with seven weeks before the general election, the main parties were represented by high profile panellists at the filming on Thursday night.

Conservative Culture Secretary Sajid Javid argued Britain was the “jobs factory of Europe” and the average household has benefited from the Conservative’s economic plan.

Labour Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna countered, referring to 1.8m workers being on much criticised zero-hour contracts, and a decrease in average wages since 2010.

Liberal Democrat peer Shirley Williams proposed a mansion tax should be used to offset further planned cuts to the welfare budget.

Dia Chakravarty from the Taxpayers’ Alliance said money could instead be raised by means testing benefits such as the winter fuel allowance.

David Dimbleby also grilled Trinity School students who were invited to take part in the sound check before the show.

Twenty students sat in the audience and on the panel for the run-through.

Sixth former Helen Springer said: “It was a daunting, but exhilarating experience being subjected to David Dimbleby’s questioning.”